Liverpool man gets 7 years after impregnating girl, 11

Jordan John Pelly was sentenced on Tuesday

A 27-year-old Liverpool man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl and getting her pregnant.

Jordan John Pelly assaulted the girl for more than a year starting in August 2012, according to an agreed statement of facts. When her mother found out and called police, Pelly stole money from his employer and took off.

"He had immediately arranged for a taxicab company in Liverpool to take him to Halifax," said Sharon Goodwin, a Crown prosecutor, in an interview with CBC News.

"Luckily the RCMP were alerted and immediately made efforts to locate him. He was arrested in Truro en route to Moncton, New Brunswick and at that time he was taken into custody."

The young victim had an abortion.

Pelly pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the girl, making a trial unnecessary. He was sentenced Tuesday in provincial court in Liverpool.

"It went immediately to sentencing hearing," Goodwin said.

"But of course, the decision of the judge in this case will never eliminate or reduce the harm that was inflicted upon this particular child."

Offender blamed the victim

Goodwin had recommended a sentence of between five and 10 years. Judge James Burrill settled on seven.

"It sends a message that a substantial period of custody is warranted in cases of this nature," Goodwin said.

"It was reflective of the fact that denunciation and deterrence take a primary role in offences of this nature."

Goodwin said Pelly was emotional at the sentencing.

"It appeared that Mr. Pelly had lacked, demonstrated a lack of remorse and was placing blame on the victim by suggesting that the onus was upon her to manage his sexual behaviour as a child as opposed to himself," she said.

Pelly is getting credit for the 260 days he spent in jail awaiting sentence.

However, the judge tacked on an additional 60 days because Pelly contacted the girl's family while he was on remand, which breached one of his conditions.

In addition to the prison time, Pelly had to give a DNA sample. His name goes on the national sex offender registry for 20 years and he also faces a 10-year weapons ban.

He's not allowed to contact the girl or her family and he must stay away from places that children frequent, such as playgrounds and public pools.

Pelly has also been ordered to repay the $770 he stole from his employer to fund his getaway.